CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 382 LIVELY

Chen Yongyi’s originally joyful expression immediately froze upon hearing the name Xiao Xingzong.

Liangchen said it was a good thing because Xiao Xingzong had harmed the Commandery Princess. Now seeing Xiao Xingzong being brought to justice, it counted as avenging the Princess. But such a good thing couldn’t make them happy.

Chen Yongyi sighed deeply to comfort Xie Liangchen, "Don’t be too upset. If your mother had knowledge in the afterlife, she’d only hope for your safety."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Fourth Uncle, don’t worry, I understand." Although she was no longer afraid of water, she couldn’t help feeling as if she was in a vast ocean enveloped in icy seawater whenever she recalled the scene of her mother’s murder. However, just thinking of her father, grandmother, younger brother, and... Song Xian, she would gradually feel better.

With her mother gone, she must live well, so as not to betray her mother’s protection at that time. Moreover, she must protect those she cherishes.

"Liangchen, this side is done too. Let’s go to the ink and brush shop!"

Miss Yan smiled and took Xie Liangchen’s hand. When they arrive at the ink and brush shop, she could see the paper from Chen Family Village.

The two of them walked ahead, and Miss Yan whispered, "Liangchen, did you know that the storytellers in the teahouses often mention the pink wax paper from Chen Family Village?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "What do they say?" She had been so busy running between several shops lately that she hadn’t heard about it.

Miss Yan didn’t speak, but Meng Changshu replied, "They talk about the official paper moving to pink wax paper. Before, Miss Fang who went to the poetry meeting gave the pink wax paper to her grandfather. Mr. Fang, the Imperial Scholar of the Imperial Study, used the pink wax paper to paint a picture of flowers and birds, and everyone who saw it said the kingfisher looked so real like it would fly away at any moment."

"Someone even said that one day the kingfisher really flew away and that the Fang family had all the lights on throughout the night searching for that bird, but by dawn, the bird returned to the painting itself."

Xie Liangchen also found it curious, "How is that possible?"

Meng Changshu smiled with her lips pursed, "I don’t know about that. Besides such things, they also mention that person."

Miss Yan said, "Is Sister Meng talking about Yang Wu?"

Meng Changshu nodded, "Actually, she should have been taken to the government office long ago, yet the court still considered her reputation. Nevertheless, once the court begins the trial, she will still be imprisoned."

"Yang Wu deserves this; she brought it upon herself," Miss Yan said, "She might have known about Liangchen’s identity during the thread tassel incident, deliberately harming Liangchen to gain wealth and glory through Prince Guangyang’s identity, yet in the end, she doesn’t understand gratitude and repayment."

Meng Changshu asked, "Have those women harmed by Yang Wu returned to the Eight States?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Some passed away long ago, and those who survived are in the Eight States, now teaching the people of the Eight States to use the spinning wheel we made."

Having heard much from Xie Liangchen recently, Meng Changshu also wanted to visit the Eight States, "When things are settled in the Capital, I also want to visit Zhenzhou and the Eight States."

"Alright," Xie Liangchen said, "Let me know when you plan to go, and I’ll arrange for someone to greet you."

The three talked and laughed as they noticed the mule cart loaded with goods had stopped.

Chen Yongyi said, "There are too many people on the street; we can’t get through right now." It looks like the paper is selling better than the wool felt.

Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Yongyi, "The ink and brush shop is just ahead. Let the workers unload the cart here and carry the goods over."

This situation was within Xie Liangchen’s expectations. Some wool felt had been sold, but besides the ones given away at the poetry meeting, the pink wax paper hadn’t been formally sold yet.

Scarce items are more eagerly awaited by people.

After being passed around and discussed these past days, the number of people liking this paper had grown, all wanting to buy some immediately to take home.

Xie Liangchen was confident about the pink wax paper from Chen Family Village; those who bought it would definitely be satisfied. However, if someone wanted the painting on the wax paper to come alive, that would be out of her capabilities, relying only on the storyteller’s tales in the teahouses.

Watching the bustling crowd, Miss Yan rejoiced for Xie Liangchen, "Now I understand why Liangchen hasn’t sought help from others to prepare relief for the Eight States’ people; this is better than any relief."

With the Eight States Paper Workshop producing such paper, the people of the Eight States needn’t worry about not having Silver Coin to buy food.

"Even if you’re not in the Capital in the future," Miss Yan said, "we’ll watch over things for you, and as for the medicinal herb drawings, rest assured, we’ll continue painting them."

Xie Liangchen nodded and took hold of Miss Yan and Meng Changshu, "Once I return to the North, I’ll be busy with the paper workshop and wool felt, and there won’t be much time for drawing herbs. Furthermore, my knowledge of herbs is limited, and we may rely on you all to keep the medicinal herb drawings going."

Meng Changshu said, "The Capital is a place where goods gather, and there are many pharmacies, plus we can inquire at the Imperial Hospital. I will leave this task to Little Sister Yan and Li; you needn’t worry. Naturally, when I’m in the Capital, I’ll assist you wholeheartedly, and even back in Yuezhou, I’ll help you find local medicinal herbs to illustrate."

The more they talked, the happier they became. Meng Changshu found herself more joyful than ever, having more desirable pursuits beyond sitting in the embroidery room doing needlework and reading books. Even if working late into the night, she felt inexplicable joy just thinking about the future use of those drawings.

Xie Liangchen’s heart stirred, "Sister Meng, are you returning to Yuezhou?"

Meng Changshu’s face momentarily dimmed, "In a while."

The three entered the ink and brush shop and watched as the shopkeeper instructed the staff to display the goods. Despite the outside clamor, the shopkeeper worked calmly and orderly, letting Xie Liangchen feel at ease.

Choosing the shop had been an effort, but because the preparation was thorough, the selling process was smooth.

Seeing nothing requiring their immediate attention, Xie Liangchen took Meng Changshu and Miss Yan aside to continue their conversation.

Xie Liangchen asked Meng Changshu, "Do you have something on your mind?"

Meng Changshu sighed deeply and didn’t avoid the topic before the two of them, "I’m older than Liangchen by a few months, so the family is naturally a bit anxious."

Miss Yan understood, "Is it about a marriage proposal?"

Meng Changshu nodded, "Someone proposed to my father, and he seems somewhat satisfied, but nothing’s been decided yet."

Xie Liangchen lowered her voice, "Do you know which family made the proposal?"

Meng Changshu said, "I heard it’s the nephew of Commander Wang from Xizhou, named Ji Yuan."

Truly, the past and present lives overlapped.

Being young and inexperienced in these matters, Miss Yan could only say, "Since nothing’s decided, you want to inquire about Ji Yuan’s character, right? Sister Meng, there’s no need to rush. If he’s a good person, it goes without saying, and if not, Uncle will surely not consent."

Meng Changshu nodded.

The reasoning was sound, but Ji Yuan was adept at disguise, and the Meng Family only saw his true colors at the end.

Meng Changshu said, "Actually, I... don’t want to get married like this." Not knowing anything about the husband’s family felt like going to an unknown place, a thought no one could perhaps understand.

Xie Liangchen held Meng Changshu, "Sister Meng, don’t worry; there’s always a way to resolve things."

As soon as Xie Liangchen finished speaking, another burst of noise erupted.

"Make way, make way, the prison cart is coming."

"Let’s go see; it’s that refuge seeker of the Liao, Xiao Xingzong."

Hearing the commotion, Xie Liangchen quickly walked outside the shop. The bustling crowd blocked her view, but Chang Yue and her group cleared a path for her, allowing her to squeeze out, and then she saw Song Xian on horseback, with a person locked in the prison cart beside him.

The person’s face was sallow and his hair disheveled, but his eyes still shone with a sinister gleam, like a venomous snake ready to strike even with its head severed.